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Obtaining employment in the oil industry isn't limited to working on an offshore oil platform's drill floor. You don't get a job by knowing a friend of a friend -- although that never hurts. The more education and training you have, the more you'll make. As long as you're reasonably healthy and have a computer, you might receive multiple offers from energy companies or drilling firms looking for someone to earn a day's pay.

Campus Recruiters

Energy company recruiters appear on campuses around the country regularly. They’re looking for expectant grads in technical fields, such as geology, engineering or earth sciences, business and finance, health and safety, and logistics. Make an appointment. Some companies, such as Chevron, post their recruiting calendar on the company website, along with information for applicants. Energy companies have positions onshore, offshore and around the world for almost any graduate, as well as internships in many fields.

Offshore Technical Jobs

So you didn’t go to college. You chose a career that led you into the kitchen, under the hood of a diesel truck, into wiring commercial buildings or into the inner workings of humanity as a paramedic. Mechanics, electricians, paramedics, nurses and cooks are essential members of a drilling or production platform’s crew. Powered by diesel engines, platforms’ services are similar to a small city and need support staff in addition to the personnel who drill for oil or gas.

Hard Knocks and Websites

Experience counts with energy companies. If you have experience as a rigger, working with cranes to move heavy loads, a roughneck on a drilling operation or running cranes, you have skills that can take you to the offshore oil patch or the onshore oilfields. Energy companies routinely advertise openings for riggers, crane operators and assistants on their websites. Look for a “Careers” tab. Many large production and drilling companies post job advertisements on websites related to the oil industry, such as Rigzone.com.

Upward Mobility

The energy industry often promotes from within. If you work as a roustabout or rigger working offshore, you’ll receive training for the next step up, working on the drilling tower as a derrickman or in the crane learning a new craft as a crane operator. You might progress to driller or to crane operator. Eventually, through study and ambition, you may become a toolpusher, in charge of drilling operations. If you made the jump after college, you may move through a variety of specialties within your field as you're promoted.

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About the Author

Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history.

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Charpentier, Will. "How to Start Work in the Oil Industry." Work - Chron.com, http://work.chron.com/start-work-oil-industry-29800.html. Accessed 19 December 2018.

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